tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80758061441298315742011-07-30T22:19:56.136-07:00EV Free Pastorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16948389129031673400noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075806144129831574.post-46554336095531931882010-03-09T12:45:00.000-08:002010-03-09T13:29:14.035-08:00I don't know about you, but when I read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 I feel this huge weight of responsibility to God for the raising of my children. God places the responsibility of teaching children squarely on the shoulders of parents. He tells us when, where, how, and why to teach and train them. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps. 111:3). It is our responsibility as parents to teach our children the truth's of the gospel. But beyond the gospel, there are many vital biblical lessons about integrity, discernment, diligence, character, and many other pratical issues of life that God has charged us with as parents. We have also been charged with the responsibility of teaching godly wisdom to our children. <br /><br />The book of Proverbs is chalk full of sound biblical wisdom to help teach and train your children in many aspects of godly wisdom. Chapters 1-9 are the epitomy of a parenting handbook where a father is urging his son to pursue the path of wisdom in order to achieve godly success in life.<br /><br />So over the next few weeks we'll look at 10 principles that will give all of us a starting point on aspects of wisdom to teach your children. I have taken these from <u>What the Bible Says about Parenting</u>, written by John MacArthur. I highly recommend this book to every parent wanting solid biblical parenting guides. This by no means is an exhaustive list. God's word is full of principles on godly living and what pleases Him and how to please Him. <br /><br /><ul><li>Teach your children to fear the Lord</li><li>Teach your children to guard their minds</li><li>Teach your children to obey their parents</li><li>Teach your children to select good friends</li><li>Teach your children to control their lusts</li><li>Teach your children to enjoy their spouses</li><li>Teach your children to watch their words</li><li>Teach your children to pursue their work</li><li>Teach your children to manage their money</li><li>Teach your children to love their neighbors</li></ul><p>I'm looking forward to this endeavor because I know God will use this in my own life as I parent my own kids.</p><p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8075806144129831574-4655433609553193188?l=debrunk.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>EV Free Pastorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16948389129031673400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075806144129831574.post-50722979171386945202009-08-04T12:34:00.000-07:002009-08-04T12:56:03.537-07:00I don't know about you, but parenting is one tough job. I've been thinking about this a lot lately and what are the important things that I need to do with these kids that I have. Really, what do I have to offer them that is any more important than what any other parent does. I love them, care for them and provide for their every waking need. I'm the taxi driver for whatever sporting event, church event, party, errand, social gathering that any of my kids have. I'm a pretty good person by most standards, Ya know, I'm a pretty good parent. I even feed them occaisionally. If you know me at all this is huge. I'm teaching them how to be a "productive member of society", whatever that means and according to whose standards. They do their chores without even asking or grumbling (LIAR!) I have a great family. But I ask, is that all there is to parenting? What is my ultimate responsibility as a parent? What are my priorities as a parent? Do I want them to go to Harvard? Is that the end goal. To be the CEO of some multi-billion dollar company? I say NO!<br /><br />Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! Ald you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with allyour soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."<br /><br />Boy, God's Word lays the standard for what I'm supposed to be doing. He wants me teaching them about Him. That is what He cares about. Think about the thousands of opportunities we have everyday to share with our children about God's goodness, grace, mercy, His creativeness, power, might, love. The list is unending. Just last night, Alex, Avery and I were driving home from a weekend away and the sunset was amazing. What a perfect opportunity to thank God for His colors, beauty, creativeness. We had a great conversation and thanked God for how beautiful it was and that He cared enough about us to give us such a beautiful sight. Simple moments like that where God gets the glory and recognition for something He has done.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8075806144129831574-5072297917138694520?l=debrunk.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>EV Free Pastorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16948389129031673400noreply@blogger.com0